Tuesday 20 September

Tuesday 20th September
An early start at 6am. We drove to terminal 5 at Heathrow to return the car. We didn't know what terminal but took a guess. A lucky guess and we found the car rental place no worries. They took the car and we rode a shuttle bus to terminal 5 for the underground to St Pancras. Arrived St Pancras about an hour and a half later, and Pam found a mobile phone in the toilets. I rang the "home" in the address book and let them know I had found it and will leave with Lost and Found. My little bit for international relations.

St Pancras leaving 1228 due to arrive Paris Nord 1355 to meet Jen.
It has been nice to see Dad in his home town, with the relatives, and it will be a nice train journey from London to Paris to Venice. It will also be nice to wave goodbye on the ship and spend some time not looking over my shoulder playing the "where have they gone now" game.
:)

Arrived in Paris to a waiting Jen on the platform. I was filled with joy and excitement to see her again. It hand't been long, but it was wonderful to be back together. We stowed our baggage and headed out walking to Sacre Couer church. The view of Paris was excellent from up the hill and the inside of the church was quite amazing. What a massive church. I am sure I will be sick of churches soon, but for now this one is special. Dad and Pam made it up the large hill, but I am sure the last few days has been wearing.

We had a bite to eat and headed back to the station to make our way to Paris Bercy, to catch the train to Venice. Two local trains and a bit of a rush, with the stairs everywhere making carrying our backpacks and Dad and Pam's 20kg each bag luggage a bit of a nuisance. But it is a workout and there will be no gym for a month or so, so it is needed.

We made it with 15 minutes to spare and boarded the overnight train to Venice. Once aboard they advised us there is no Restuarant car and therefore will have to buy dinner from the food cart. That was NOT on the website. Grrr. So we had some overpriced sandwiches and drinks and headed to bed in our separate two bed sleepers.